Art Funded by you

The Famous Women Dinner Service

Duncan Grant, 1931-1933

A set of 50 dinner plates produced by Vanessa Bell, daughter of the eminent critic Leslie Stephen and sister of Virginia Woolf, and fellow Bloomsbury Group member Duncan Grant, who exhibited in Roger Fry's second Post-Impressionist exhibition in 1912. The service was commissioned by Kenneth Clark, late director of the National Gallery and presenter of the 1969 television series Civilisation. Depicting famous women from history and contemporary life, the set includes portraits of queens, writers, performers, and other known figures including two plates featuring the artists themselves. ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Duncan Grant, The Famous Women Dinner Service, 1931-1933, Charleston, Art Funded 2018
© Estate of Vanessa Bell 1961 courtesy Henrietta Garnett

A set of 50 dinner plates produced by Vanessa Bell, daughter of the eminent critic Leslie Stephen and sister of Virginia Woolf, and fellow Bloomsbury Group member Duncan Grant, who exhibited in Roger Fry's second Post-Impressionist exhibition in 1912.

The service was commissioned by Kenneth Clark, late director of the National Gallery and presenter of the 1969 television series Civilisation. Depicting famous women from history and contemporary life, the set includes portraits of queens, writers, performers, and other known figures including two plates featuring the artists themselves.

More information

Title of artwork, date

The Famous Women Dinner Service, 1931-1933

Date supported

2018

Medium and material

hand painted glazed ceramic

Dimensions

25.5 x 2 cm

Grant

300,000

Total cost

597,045

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